Mexico Opens Wastewater Treatment Plant

Mexico has opened a new wastewater treatment plant that officials hope will prevent pollution of U.S. waterways. The plant opened in Mexicali, just across the border from Calexico, Calif.

The Arenetis plant will treat wastewater and then discharge it into the Hardy River, a tributary of the Colorado River in Mexico. According to Mexico’s National Water Commission, the plant will prevent untreated water from being dumped into waterways that run into California’s Salton Sea.

The Los Angeles Times reports that construction of the $30.5 million plant began in 1999. A second project is in the works that should double the plant’s capacity.

Funding for the project came from the North American Development Bank, the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the Mexican government.

Treated water from the plant may also be used for industry or farming.